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jeremynelson0899's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It was a loose re-writing of Jane Austen, with a mysterious twist.
reading_is_life08's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.75
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
3.0
Fiercombe Manor was one of my favourite reads of 2018. Sadly, this book was enough of a departure from the style and suspense that made Fiercombe Manor wonderful to render it average at best.
Firstly, this story was far too long. I had most of it figured out earlier on and it was a bit tedious following the slow and meandering path to get to the conclusion.
Secondly, this book lacked the gothic element. There was no suspense, no spooky overtures, and no dread.
Thirdly, this was a family drama and romance. Not exactly what I was expecting and disappointingly so!
Lastly, I feel like I’ve read this story so many times over. It’s very similar to Kate Morton, Tracy Rees, and Hazel Gaynor. Coupled with the length, the tired plot made this a bit of a slog at times. The interconnectivity of the characters and the coincidences were quite far fetched at times. The ending of the book was just patently absurd.
This isn’t a bad book. It’s just that I’ve read so much like it and I was in the mood for something gothic and mildly creepy and thusly found myself disappointed.
Firstly, this story was far too long. I had most of it figured out earlier on and it was a bit tedious following the slow and meandering path to get to the conclusion.
Secondly, this book lacked the gothic element. There was no suspense, no spooky overtures, and no dread.
Thirdly, this was a family drama and romance. Not exactly what I was expecting and disappointingly so!
Lastly, I feel like I’ve read this story so many times over. It’s very similar to Kate Morton, Tracy Rees, and Hazel Gaynor. Coupled with the length, the tired plot made this a bit of a slog at times. The interconnectivity of the characters and the coincidences were quite far fetched at times. The ending of the book was just patently absurd.
This isn’t a bad book. It’s just that I’ve read so much like it and I was in the mood for something gothic and mildly creepy and thusly found myself disappointed.
jacki_f's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I'd like this. It should have been right up my street. But it's too long for what it is and then the author seemed to struggle with structural issues and had to do all these workarounds towards the end to bring it together. I stopped caring.
milly_in_the_library's review against another edition
3.0
A simple, enjoyable gothic style story. I liked the way the story tied up at the end, although there was a slightly unnecessary twist...!
literationforthenation's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free as part of Goodreads giveaways. It was a great read. Although it was around 500 pages long it didn't drag, and I found I couldn't put it down. It was not overly descriptive (which I find tends to detract from the story rather than add to it), there was a lot to the story. Very well written, and very enjoyable. Would definitely read another book by Kate Riordan.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Good book, good story, kept my interest .... I do like the two story lines going on, set fifty years apart.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
5.0
"The Shadow Hour" is the first novel I read by Kate Riordan and I must say I'm very impressed with it.
Grace's parents died when she was very young. She was raised by her grandmother, Harriet Jenner, who worked as a governess at the Fenix House in 1878 (half a century earlier). She had great stories to tell from that time, which for some reason were fascinating to the child.
For many years, it was just the two of them living together. They had no one else. Grace loved to hear about the big family her grandma was once considered part of. Her life was so empty that she preferred Harriet’s past to her own present. She just wanted to know more about the Pembridges. She wanted to know as many details as possible, just so she could imagine it exactly like it was. After a few years, she felt as if she knew those people and places.
She thought they were just stories, but actually she needed to know that stuff, because she was being prepared. Harriet had always been very mysterious about her visions of the future, and she never explained her reasons, but she knew her granddaughter needed to follow her footsteps and apply to work for that family as well. There were still many secrets and unsolved issues between those two different generations.
When Grace arrives at the Fenix House, she realizes that many things weren't exactly like Harriet had told her and she couldn't understand why she had been lied to. It made her feel like the ground was shifting under her feet, as if she didn't know anyone anymore -- not even her own grandma.
What I love the most about this novel is the fact that we keep getting surprised until the very last pages. Just when you think you know who they are, something else comes in between and you wonder what else could happen next. The story is full of tension and mystery, but there's also a bit of romance and some drama. A few parts made me laugh as well, because the characters are very sarcastic.
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it this much. I can almost imagine what it would be like to see it getting a movie adaptation.
*Many thanks to Penguin UK for providing an ARC via NetGalley!*
Grace's parents died when she was very young. She was raised by her grandmother, Harriet Jenner, who worked as a governess at the Fenix House in 1878 (half a century earlier). She had great stories to tell from that time, which for some reason were fascinating to the child.
For many years, it was just the two of them living together. They had no one else. Grace loved to hear about the big family her grandma was once considered part of. Her life was so empty that she preferred Harriet’s past to her own present. She just wanted to know more about the Pembridges. She wanted to know as many details as possible, just so she could imagine it exactly like it was. After a few years, she felt as if she knew those people and places.
She thought they were just stories, but actually she needed to know that stuff, because she was being prepared. Harriet had always been very mysterious about her visions of the future, and she never explained her reasons, but she knew her granddaughter needed to follow her footsteps and apply to work for that family as well. There were still many secrets and unsolved issues between those two different generations.
When Grace arrives at the Fenix House, she realizes that many things weren't exactly like Harriet had told her and she couldn't understand why she had been lied to. It made her feel like the ground was shifting under her feet, as if she didn't know anyone anymore -- not even her own grandma.
What I love the most about this novel is the fact that we keep getting surprised until the very last pages. Just when you think you know who they are, something else comes in between and you wonder what else could happen next. The story is full of tension and mystery, but there's also a bit of romance and some drama. A few parts made me laugh as well, because the characters are very sarcastic.
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it this much. I can almost imagine what it would be like to see it getting a movie adaptation.
*Many thanks to Penguin UK for providing an ARC via NetGalley!*
chellski's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
2.25
juliwi's review against another edition
3.0
Governesses, you say? Mysterious houses and sullen employers? Where do I sign up?! That was basically my thought process when I saw The Shadow Hour. Ever since reading Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey, I have a Bronte-inspired love for novels about governesses. They are the perfect vehicles for authors to explore family relations, class difference and bring in some supernatural or mysterious tones. However, not every novel strikes that perfect balance. So while I happily delved into The Shadow Hour, I finished it slightly confused. Thanks to Penguin - Michael Joseph and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Shadow Hour is told through two different timelines. On the one hand there is Grace, a young woman living in 1922, who is sent to Fenix House as a governess by the gentle order of her grandmother, Harriet, who was once a governess there herself. Harriet's tale, set 50 years prior, forms the second timeline. Grace was raised on stories of Fenix house, making her new residence and employers strangely familiar and yet uncanny as well. As the novel moves between Grace and Harriet's timelines, more and more is revealed about Fenix House, its inhabitants and how Grace and Harriet belong there. Riordan manages to make Harriet and Grace feel quite different, despite being in almost exactly the same situation. Although Harriet's tale is, for a long time, the more interesting one, it is Grace's desire to finally found out what happened at Fenix House that the reader most identifies with. At times Riordan purposefully leaves the reader in the dark, while at other times filling the reader in while leaving Grace in the dark. It creates a nice balance that keeps the novel engaging.
Riordan's writing is at times beautifully visual. She brings Fenix House and its inhabitants to life with stunning descriptions of the house, its gardens, the costumes and the atmosphere. Luscious in Harriet's time, the decay of the house in Grace's time feels much more real. Rioridan manages to infuse her governess tale with a lot of different elements, bringing in some mysterious and some supernatural tones. This consistently, and thankfully, shakes up the narrative. As history repeats itself in Grace's story, Riordan mostly manages to make the same events still feel interesting. With how the story is set up, however, it is almost inevitable that at times it feels a bit repetitive. Although these are all minor gripes, it means that the end of the novel felt a little bit unsatisfactory. While Riordan ties all the different stories together into a nice bow, it seems too easy of an ending. I'd have likes for her to have spent a little bit more time describing how the characters go on.
Once I got into The Shadow Hour I very much enjoyed it. Governesses will always hold a special place in my heart and I'll remember The Shadow Hour fondly. It touches upon some of the best staples of the genre, even if it doesn't always hit all the notes. I'd recommend this to fans Gothic literature and Women's Fiction.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2017/06/review-shadow-hour-by-kate-riordan.html
The Shadow Hour is told through two different timelines. On the one hand there is Grace, a young woman living in 1922, who is sent to Fenix House as a governess by the gentle order of her grandmother, Harriet, who was once a governess there herself. Harriet's tale, set 50 years prior, forms the second timeline. Grace was raised on stories of Fenix house, making her new residence and employers strangely familiar and yet uncanny as well. As the novel moves between Grace and Harriet's timelines, more and more is revealed about Fenix House, its inhabitants and how Grace and Harriet belong there. Riordan manages to make Harriet and Grace feel quite different, despite being in almost exactly the same situation. Although Harriet's tale is, for a long time, the more interesting one, it is Grace's desire to finally found out what happened at Fenix House that the reader most identifies with. At times Riordan purposefully leaves the reader in the dark, while at other times filling the reader in while leaving Grace in the dark. It creates a nice balance that keeps the novel engaging.
Riordan's writing is at times beautifully visual. She brings Fenix House and its inhabitants to life with stunning descriptions of the house, its gardens, the costumes and the atmosphere. Luscious in Harriet's time, the decay of the house in Grace's time feels much more real. Rioridan manages to infuse her governess tale with a lot of different elements, bringing in some mysterious and some supernatural tones. This consistently, and thankfully, shakes up the narrative. As history repeats itself in Grace's story, Riordan mostly manages to make the same events still feel interesting. With how the story is set up, however, it is almost inevitable that at times it feels a bit repetitive. Although these are all minor gripes, it means that the end of the novel felt a little bit unsatisfactory. While Riordan ties all the different stories together into a nice bow, it seems too easy of an ending. I'd have likes for her to have spent a little bit more time describing how the characters go on.
Once I got into The Shadow Hour I very much enjoyed it. Governesses will always hold a special place in my heart and I'll remember The Shadow Hour fondly. It touches upon some of the best staples of the genre, even if it doesn't always hit all the notes. I'd recommend this to fans Gothic literature and Women's Fiction.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2017/06/review-shadow-hour-by-kate-riordan.html